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WASHINGTON E. LINDSEY was born near Armstrong, Ohio, on December 20, 1862. His education was attained at Scio College in Ohio, from which he graduated in 1884; and at the University of Michigan, where he earned an LL.B. degree in 1891. After establishing his legal career in Chicago, Lindsey moved to New Mexico. He first entered politics as a U.S. commissioner, a position he held in 1900. From 1903 to 1905 he served as the Roosevelt County clerk; and from 1905 to 1909 served as the assistant district attorney. He also served as the mayor of Portales from 1909 to 1910; was a member of the 1910 New Mexico Constitutional Convention; and served as the lieutenant governor of New Mexico in 1917. On February 18, 1917 Governor Ezequiel C. De Baca died in office, and Lindsey, who was the lieutenant governor at the time, assumed the duties of the governorship. During his tenure, World War I measures were initiated; the "Australian ballot" (secret ballot) system was promoted; and a corrupt practices bill was lobbied for. After leaving the governorship, Lindsey resumed his legal career. He returned briefly to politics in 1924, serving as a delegate to the Republican National Convention. Governor Washington E. Lindsey passed away on April 5, 1926, and was buried in Portales, New Mexico.

Sources:

* Governor Washington E. Lindsey Papers, 1917-1918 (official papers)

The Political Graveyard

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 3, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

The University of New Mexico

* Finding aid available at New Mexico Commission of Public Records.

For more information please contact the New Mexico State Archives at 505-476-7948 or archives@state.nm.us.